2016 Alden Open [Video/Photo Essay]

For Kelsey Braman, a sophomore in early childhood education, and her father, Ken Braman, an OHIO alumnus, the Alden Open was a way to do a new activity in a place where they have both spent plenty of time.

“I think we both have spent a lot of time in the Library, so it’s fun to do something other than studying here,” Ken, who graduated from the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1989, said.

On Nov. 5, the third, fourth and fifth floors of the Library were transformed into an 18-hole mini golf course for Dads Weekend. Alden Library was filled with students and their families laughing and catching up over a round of golf.

Riley Lownes, an undecided freshman, golfed with his father Charlie Lownes, who traveled from Cleveland for Dads Weekend.

Charlie said he not only enjoyed the golf, but he also liked to see the space where his son spends his time.

“He lives in the Library more often than not,” he said.

Riley said he comes to the Library when he is looking for a less chaotic place to get work done—“just to have a quiet, common space to study, other than your dorm because dorms can get crazy.”

Families could play nine or 18 holes of the course, which featured obstacles such as ramps, globes and even giant pepperoni. The event served as a way for students to spend quality time with their families while showing them around the Library.

Photos from the event are below. Read to learn more about the students and families who attended the 2016 Alden Open.

Kelsey Braman, a sophomore in early childhood education, golfed with her father, Ken Braman, who graduated from the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1989.
Kelsey said the Library provides her with a quiet study place.
“Here there are quiet spaces, and if I don’t want to be in silence, I can go by the café or floors where people talk,” she said. “If I need silence, I can come up here [to the fifth floor] to the silent areas. It’s a good balance.”
Ken said he also came to Alden Library during his time as a student, both to enjoy the air conditioning and to get his work done.
“When I lived in Boyd, back in those days, there was no air conditioning,” he said. “This was a temperature-conditioned environment. I pretty much had my nose in the book here.”
(Photo by John Michael Simpson/Ohio University Libraries)

Sabrina Sawan, a freshman studying visual communication, golfed with her father Joe Sawan, who was visiting from Columbus. Sabrina said the Libraries’ resources have already been useful in her coursework, and Alden Library’s seven floors allow her to choose a study environment based on what she has to get done.
“They have a lot of different resources here, especially for [visual communication]. They have a whole art section,” she said.
(Photo by John Michael Simpson/Ohio University Libraries)

Kayla Kapen, a sophomore in music therapy, attended the Alden Open for the second year with her father Udi Kapen, who traveled from the Detroit area.
“I remember beating her [last year],” Udi said. “I’ve come to two years’ worth of Dads Weekends and they’re always chock full of activities and very much fun.”
Kayla said she usually studies in the Music and Dance Library but has also spent time in Alden. Both libraries, she said, offer a productive environment for her to get her work done.
(Photo by John Michael Simpson/Ohio University Libraries)

(Left to right) Darrin, Gabriella and Nancy Chatman traveled from Cincinnati to visit Alexis Chatman, a freshman in retail merchandising. Alexis said that while the Library is often seen as a study space, she has positive memories of spending time with friends at Alden as well.
“When I come here with my friends, we’ll take study breaks and just laugh and talk,” she said.
Nancy said being in an academic library reminded her of her time at the University of Cincinnati.
“This library reminds me of my alma mater and going there and studying,” she said. “I warned [Alexis] about the comfy chairs that will cause you to drop your classwork.”
(Photo by John Michael Simpson/Ohio University Libraries)

Rachel Martin, a freshman in environmental studies, golfed with her parents, Jerry and Laura Martin, who traveled from Buffalo, West Virginia. Rachel said the Alden Open drew students to the Library and gave them an opportunity to see new spaces in the building.
“A lot of people don’t come to the Libraries, but there’s a lot of information for studying in every subject you can imagine,” she said. “I think having something like [the Alden Open] helps kids who might not normally come get accustomed to the different floors and see what there is to offer.”
(Photo by John Michael Simpson/Ohio University Libraries)

Colin Kilbane, who was visiting from Cleveland, played the course with his son Sean Kilbane, a freshman in mechanical engineering. Sean’s older sister also attended OHIO, so he saw the campus when visiting her and knew he wanted to attend the University as well.
Colin said the family has played putt-putt before and he has fond memories of mini golf from his own childhood.
“When I was a teenager, they used to convert the hockey arena by us into a putt-putt course. My dad used to take me,” he said.
(Photo by John Michael Simpson/Ohio University Libraries)